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MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (PDF) | FINAL RESULTS (HTML) | FINAL RESULTS (PDF) | FRIDAY RESULTS (HTML) | FRIDAY RESULTS (PDF) | THURSDAY RESULTS (HTML) | THURSDAY RESULTS (PDF) | HEAT SHEETS (PDF) | SATURDAY PHOTO GALLERY | FRIDAY PHOTO GALLERY | THURSDAY PHOTO GALLERY | PERFORMANCE LIST | LIVE STATS |
HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL VIDEO (5/13) | CURTIS RICHARDSON VIDEO (5/13) - HJ) | MILES BALDWIN VIDEO (5/13 - 400M) | ARIADNA RAMOS GANDIA VIDEO (5/13 - TJ) | HAKEEM LAWRENCE VIDEO (5/13 - 100M) | AKRON CELEBRATION VIDEO (5/13) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL VIDEO (5/12) | DANIELLA JOHNSON VIDEO (5/12 - LJ) | JORDAN LATIMER VIDEO (5/12 - LJ) | JACKIE SIEFRING VIDEO (5/12 - HEPTATHLON)
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The University of Akron track and field team capped a dramatic final day of the Mid-American Conference Track and Field Championships, hosted by Western Michigan, on Saturday, May 13, garnering the program's seventh men's and women's outdoor team titles.
It marked the first time in program history in which the Zips have swept the men's and women's team championships during both the indoor and outdoor campaigns.
The triumph also enabled Akron to secure the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge for 2016-17. The Zips bettered Kent State by a count of 7.5-6.5 with the Akron track and field/country program contributing six points towards the Zips' total.
Akron bettered Eastern Michigan in the men's team race with a total of 166.5 points. Folllowing the Zips in the standings was the Eagles (140), Buffalo (117), Kent State (112), Miami (72) and Central Michigan (42.5).
In the women's race, Akron earned its seventh team outdoor title and first since 2015 with 128 points. Akron was followed by Eastern Michigan (124), Kent State (118.5), Northern Illinois (84.5), Miami (74), Toledo (63), Bowling Green (60), Western Michigan (53), Buffalo (48), Central Michigan (26), Ball State (25) and Ohio (14).
Akron head coach Dennis Mitchell was selected as the MAC Coach of the Year for both the men's and women's championships, while senior Hakeem Lawrence (Miami, Fla.) was tabbed as the Men's Most Outstanding Track Performer.
Senior Phil Jagers (Solon, Ohio) opened the competition for the Zips on the day placing second in the men's discus with a throw of 197-4 (60.15m). Juniors Maurice Harris (Toledo, Ohio) and Jovann Letulli (San Diego, Calif.) finished fourth and sixth in the event with throws of 171-8 (52.33m) and 165-10 (50.55m).
Sophomore Curtis Richardson (Blacklick, Ohio) captured his first-ever conference title surpassing 6-11.75 (2.13m) to win the men's high jump. Richardson bested bars at 6-6.50 (2.00m), 6-8.50 (2.05m) and 6-10.25 (2.09m) on each of his opening attempts before clearing his winning height on his second run at the mark. Sophomore Ben Olewiler (Shiloh, Ohio) placed fifth in the event with a mark of 6-6.50 (2.00m).
The men's 4x100 relay team of Lawrence and seniors Miles Baldwin (Cincinnati, Ohio), sophomore Joe Harrington (Youngstown, Ohio) and redshirt junior Taron Slone (Columbus, Ohio) added to the Zips' victory total crossing the line in 40.36 to earn the second title of the afternoon.
Sophomore Abigale Wilson (Carrollton, Ohio) placed third in the women's discus with a mark of 163-9.25 (49,92m).
The women's 4x100 relay of seniors Ariadna Ramos Gandia (Barcelona, Spain), Daziah Green (Canton, Ohio), Samia Bell (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Daniella Johnson (Gahanna, Ohio) also added a third-place finish with a season-best time of 45.85.
Sophomore Mackenzie Andrews (Toowoomba, Australia) and redshirt junior Tara Snipes (Covington, Ohio) followed placing third and seventh, respectively, in the women's 1,500 meters with times of 4:29.79 and 4:34.41.
Recording a career-best time of 14.65 to place sixth in the men's 110-meter hurdles was freshman Dylan Hochbein (Sarver, Ohio), who also finished third in the 400-meter hurdles with the fastest time of his career, 54.92.
Capturing the men's 400-meter title with a time of 47.06 was Baldwin.
On the strength of a school-record time of 10.22, Lawrence took home the championship in the men's 100 meters, while garnering a career-best time of 10.49 to place fourth was Slone.
In the women's 100 meters, Green and Johnson recorded third- and fifth-place finishes with times of 11.57 and 11.87, respectively.
Senior Sean Poholski (Barberton, Ohio) and redshirt sophomore Nick Winkler (Wadsworth, Ohio) went third and fifth in the 800 meters crossing the line in 1:53.01 and 1:53.60.
Andrews finished sixth in the women's 800 meters with a career-best time of 2:10.07.
Narrowly edged at the finish line in the women's 400-meter hurdles was junior Jackie Siefring (Covington, Ohio), who posted a time of 58.43, while freshman Dimitra Gnafaki (Chania, Greece) placed seventh in 61.97.
The Zips achieved second- and third-place efforts in the women's high jump as senior Nikki Manson (Glasgow, Scotland) and sophomore Dajia Mills (Canton, Ohio) bested the bar at 5-10 (1.78m) and 5-6.75 (1.70m). Manson cleared the height on her opening jump in three of four heights, while Mills didn't miss at each of her first three marks.
In the men's triple jump, Akron netted second-, fourth- and sixth-place finishes as seniors Mike Ohiembor (Dayton, Ohio) and Jailyn Twitty (Amherst, N.Y.) and freshman Marcques Gibbs (Darby, Pa.) registered marks of 51-9.50 (15.79m), 48-10 (14.89m) and 47-11 (14.61m), respectively.
Earning a career-best time of 21.25 to finish third in the men's 200 meters was Slone, while Harrington placed fifth crossing the line in a career-best time of 21.25.
Taking home the title in the women's triple jump for the second year in a row was Ramos Gandia with a winning mark of 42-0.50 (12.82m). Senior Weronika Gaudyn (Kracow, Poland) placed second with a mark of 42-0.25 (12.81m).
The men's 4x400 relay team of Harrington, Ohiembor, Slone and Baldwin placed second in 3:12.85, while the women's 4x400 relay squad of freshman Bailey Lack (Brunswick, Ohio), Siefring, redshirt junior Kiara Chatman (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) and freshman Iman Batiste (Dublin, Ohio) finished eighth in 3:47.79.
Akron returns to competition at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, May 25-27, in Lexington, Ky.
MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS:
1) Akron (166.5 points), 2) Eastern Michigan (140), 3) Buffalo (117), 4) Kent State (112), 5), Miami (72), 6) Central Michigan (42.5)
WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS:
1) Akron (128 points), 2) Eastern Michigan (124), 3) Kent State (118.5), 4) Northern Illinois (84.5), 5) Miami (74), 6) Toledo (63), 7) Bowling Green (60), 8) Western Michigan (53), 9) Buffalo (48), 10) Central Michigan (26), 11) Ball State (25) 12) Ohio (14)
SATURDAY WOMEN'S FINALS:
4x100 Relay: Ariadna Ramos Gandia, Daziah Green, Samia Bell, Daniella Johnson (3rd-45.85); 1,500 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (3rd-4:29.79), Tara Snipes (7th-4:34.41); 100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (8th-18.62); 100 Meters: Daziah Green (3rd-11.57), Daniella Johnson (5th-11.87); 800 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (6th-2:10.07*); 400-Meter Hurdles: Jackie Siefring (2nd-58.43), Dimitra Gnafaki (7th-61.97); 200 Meters: Daziah Green (8th-32.68); 4x400 Relay: Bailey Lack, Jackie Siefring, Kiara Chatman, Iman Batiste (8th-3:47.79); Triple Jump: Ariadna Ramos Gandia (1st-42-0.50/12.82m); Weronika Gaudyn (2nd-42-0.25/12.81m), Tanea Cousins (11th-38-11.50/11.88m); Discus: Abigale Wilson (3rd-163-9.25/49.92m), Olivia Snyder (18th-134-3.75/40.94m); High Jump: Nikki Manson (2nd-5-10/1.78m), Dajia Mills (3rd-5-6.75/1.70m), Patricia Ortega (17th-5-1.25/1.56m)
MEN'S SATURDAY FINALS:
4x100 Relay: Hakeem Lawrence, Miles Baldwin, Joe Harrington, Taron Slone (1st-40.36); 1,500 Meters: Dan Zupan (9th-4:02.37); 110-Meter Hurdles: Dylan Hochbein (6th-14.65*); 400 Meters: Miles Baldwin (1st-47.06) 100 Meters: Hakeem Lawrence (1st-10.22*), Taron Slone (4th-10.49*); 800 Meters: Sean Poholski (3rd-1:53.01), Nick Winkler (5th-1:53.60); 400-Meter Hurdles: Dylan Hochbein (3rd-54.92*), Brandon Mitchell (8th-1:08.63); 200 Meters: Taron Slone (3rd-21.25*), Joe Harrington (5th-21.46*), Jamir Coleman (7th-21.91); 4x400 Relay: Joe Harrington, Mike Ohiembor, Taron Slone, Miles Baldwin (2nd-3:12.85); Discus: Phil Jagers (2nd-197-4/60.15m), Maurice Harris (4th-171-8/52.33m), Jovann Letulli (6th-165-10/50.55m); High Jump: Curtis Richardson (1st-6-11.75/2.13m), Ben Olewiler (5th-6-6.50/2.00m), Jacob Ross (8th-6-6.50/2.00m); Triple Jump: Mike Ohiembor (2nd-51-9.50/15.79m), Jailyn Twitty (4th-48-10/14.89m), Marcques Gibbs (6th-47-11/14.61m*)
FRIDAY WOMEN'S FINALS:
3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Morgan Buckley (11th-11:08.48*), Elizabeth Mosier (13th-11:19.54); Long Jump: Daniella Johnson (1st-20-6/6.25m*), Ana Martin-Sacristan (4th-19-10.50/6.06m), Jackie Siefring (6th-19-9/6.02m); Pole Vault: Becky Szabo (3rd-12-8.75/3.88m), Rebecca Pietsch (9th-11-8.75/3.58m), Eboni Hall (13th-11-8.75/3.58m); Shot Put: Olivia Snyder (13th-44-10/13.67m*), Abigale Wilson (F)
WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON:
Jackie Siefring (1st-5,613), Patricia Ortega (2nd-5,352); 100-Meter Hurdles: Jackie Siefring (3rd-14.00), Patricia Ortega (4th-14.16); High Jump: Jackie Siefring (1st-5-6.50/1.69m*), Patricia Ortega (1st-5-6.50/1.69m*); Shot Put: Jackie Siefring (4th-39-9.25/12.12m), Patricia Ortega (6th-39-5.25/12.02m*); 200 Meters: Jackie Siefring (2nd-24.81), Patricia Ortega (5th-25.71); Long Jump: Jackie Siefring (2nd - 19-3.75/5.89m), Patricia Ortega (4th-18-4/5.59m*); Javelin: Jackie Siefring (2nd-127-0.25/38.72m), Patricia Ortega (7th-102-10/31.35m); 800 Meters: Patricia Ortega (1st-2:18.72), Jackie Siefring (4th-2:24.67)
FRIDAY WOMEN'S SEMIFINALS:
1,500 Meters: Mackezie Andrews (5th-4:31.73), Tara Snipes (6th-4:35.64*), Haley Hess (17th-4:44.57); 100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (2nd-13.54); 400 Meters: Bailey Lack (12th-56.16*), Kiara Chatman (13th-56.28); 100 Meters: Daziah Green (1st-11.68), Daniella Johnson (5th-11.99), Samia Bell (14th-12.13); 800 Meters: Mackezie Andrews (3rd-2:11.12); 400-Meter Hurdles: Jackie Siefring (2nd-59.53), Dimitra Gnafaki (7th-60.50), Iman Batiste (18th-63.41); 200 Meters: Daziah Green (2nd-23.75), Samia Bell (14th-24.53), Stephanie Hale (17th-24.78)
FRIDAY MEN'S FINALS:
3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Dan Zupan (4th-9:06.44); Shot Put: Maurice Harris (3rd-54-7.50/16.65m); Long Jump: Jordan Latimer (1st-25-2.25/7.68m), Terrell McClain (2nd-25-0.75/7.64m), Jamir Coleman (4th-24-5.50/7.46m)
MEN'S DECATHLON:
Kamar Majid (3rd-6,890*), Malik Hudson (6th-6,543*); 100 Meters: Malik Hudson (2nd-10.98*), Kamar Majid (6th-11.29); Long Jump: Kamar Majid (3rd-21-6.75/6.57m*), Malik Hudson (5th-21-2.50/6.46m); Shot Put: Kamar Majid (4th-36-10.50/11.24m), Malik Hudson (6th-35-5/10.79m*); High Jump: Malik Hudson (2nd-6-4/1.93m*), Kamar Majid (3rd-6-0.50/1.84m); 400 Meters: Malik Hudson (1st-49.29*), Kamar Majid (5th-51.13*); 110-Meter Hurdles: Kamar Majid (5th-15.42*), Malik Hudson (8th-16.55); Discus: Kamar Majid (2nd-133.8.50/40.76m*), Malik Hudson (8th-92-0.25/28.05m); Pole Vault: Kamar Majid (3rd-14-9/4.50m*), Malik Hudson (7th-13-1.25/4.00m*); Javelin: Kamar Majid (3rd-161-2.50/49.14m*), Malik Hudson (5th-149-6.25/45.58m); 1,500 Meters: Malik Hudson (4th-4:47.97*), Kamar Majid (8th-4:56.38*)
FRIDAY MEN'S SEMIFINALS:
110-Meter Hurdles: Dylan Hochbein (7th-14.61), Preston Fillman (11th-14.79), Brandon Mitchell (12th-15.09); 400 Meters: Miles Baldwin (2nd-47.65); 100 Meters: Hakeem Lawrence (1st-10.62), Taron Slone (9th-10.86), Kwadarrius Smith (15th-11.39); 800 Meters: Sean Poholski (3rd-1:51.48), Nick Winkler (8th-1:52.49), Zach Alexander (9th-1:53.50); 400-Meter Hurdles: Brandon Mitchell (3rd-54.24), Dylan Hochbein (5th-54.84); 200 Meters: Taron Slone (3rd-21.55), Joe Harrington (6th-21.87), Jamir Coleman (8th-22.08)
THURSDAY WOMEN'S FINALS:
Javelin: Nikki Manson (5th-129-7/39.50m), Jackie Siefring (7th-127-9.75/38.96m)
THURSDAY MEN'S FINALS:
Hammer: Maurice Harris (4th-178-11.50/54.55m); Javelin: Rodrigo Iglesias (3rd-197-9.50/67.20m), Preston Fillman (10th-147-8.25/45.02m); Pole Vault: Matt Ludwig (1st-17-2.50/5.25m), Matt Rowland (3rd-16-2.75/4.95m), Tyler Fraker (5th-15-3/4.65m)
*career-best mark/time